Microsoft's Xbox Originals To Rival Amazon and Netflix in New Programming Effort

For years, many thought that pay-TV companies could continue to do as
they pleased, knowing full well that if they never offered their
programming online, people would have no choice but to continue to pay
ruthless prices for content. Now, we're starting to see exactly how the
disruption is going to happen. With Netflix and Amazon already investing
millions in their own original content slates, Microsoft is joining the
fray this week with Xbox Originals.

These programs will reportedly include "documentaries, cartoons, reality shows, and scripted dramas and comedies,"
and will be developed in-house at Xbox Entertainment Studios.
Interestingly, the team is going after a very specific niche: the kinds
of people who'd buy an Xbox One in the first place. Nancy Tellem, president of Xbox Entertainment Studios, said the following about the upcoming launch: "We’re really focused on the fans of the Xbox, the millennials …many of
whom are not subscribing to cable, and use a console as their
entertainment device."

In other words, don't expect to see shows
for the masses, but expect above-par quality, as the shows will be
labeled as a premium service. At present, over a dozen shows are in
production, but there's no set time as to when Xbox owners can expect to
view them. Either way, it's becoming clearer how up-and-coming home
buyers will receive entertainment, and cable should seriously be
worried.